Pacific Human Rights Awards to honor individuals this year

To mark the 60th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, four courageous individuals from across the Pacific Island region will be honored tonight with this year’s RRRT/SPC Pacific Human Rights Award.

Winners will share a total of F$7,500 in recognition of their outstanding achievements in the field of human rights.

The Pacific Regional Rights Resource Team of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community said the awards ceremony will begin at 5:30pm at the Alliance Française (14 McGregor Road) in Suva.

RRRT/SPC Program Manager Sandra Bernklau said the 2008 RRRT/SPC Pacific Human Rights Award is unique in that it honors individual accomplishments.

“For nearly 10 years now we’ve presented awards to Pacific Island organizations that have shown extraordinary dedication to promoting and protecting the rights of disadvantaged and vulnerable groups across the region,” Bernklau said.

“This year, to commemorate 60 years of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, we’ve decided to honor those Pacific Islanders who have selflessly sacrificed so much over the years to build a region that respects the dignity and rights of everyone.”

Among a number of criteria, nominees must have demonstrated strong commitment to social justice, human rights, democracy and the rule of law, as well as a high degree of commitment in their personal lives and actions to the framework of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Adopted on Dec. 10, 1948, the declaration was the first international recognition that all human beings have fundamental rights and freedoms, as well as being a global commitment to universal dignity and justice.

RRRT provides human rights training, technical support, and policy and advocacy services tailored specifically for the Pacific region. RRRT is an SPC program under the Social Resources Division.

The RRRT Pacific Human Rights Awards were born in 1998 when RRRT was awarded UNICEF’s prestigious Maurice Pate Award for its work in advancing the rights of women and children in the Pacific.

This year’s event is supported by the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID), the New Zealand Agency for International Development (NZAID), Meridian Consulting and Star Printery Ltd. [B][I](SPC)[/I][/B]